Dynamic Edge Cache Content Management via Hash Variable References
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Solution Overview
Problem
Edge caching of web page content leads to stale content issues due to reliance on replicated files, resulting in unnecessary resource utilization and delivery of outdated content, especially for frequently changing or personalized content.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic edge cache management system that uses hash variable references and time-to-live values in cache keys to determine content freshness, allowing for efficient revalidation and retrieval of current content, thereby reducing unnecessary updates and storage utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If webpage content is cached on edge servers to increase rendering speed and reduce processing cost, then content delivery speed and server load reduction are improved, but content freshness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic cache key generation that incorporates hash values of content and time-to-live parameters. The cache key is constructed as `hash(content)`:`time_to_live`, allowing the system to dynamically manage cache entries based on content characteristics and expiration requirements. This dynamic approach enables automatic cache invalidation when content changes, resolving the contradiction between fast delivery and freshness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where the web server provides cache directives including hash values and time-to-live parameters to edge servers. Edge servers use these feedback signals to determine when to invalidate cached content. The feedback loop ensures that cached content is automatically updated when the source content changes, maintaining freshness while preserving the speed benefits of caching.
2Reliability
If periodic polling is used to check for content changes, then content freshness is improved, but server resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the web server automatically generates and transmits cache directives with hash values and time-to-live parameters to edge servers. This eliminates the need for periodic polling, as the system proactively notifies edge servers of content changes through the cache directive transmission. The edge servers use these directives to automatically manage cache invalidation, reducing server resource utilization while maintaining freshness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-calculating hash values of content and setting appropriate time-to-live parameters before content is served to users. These pre-computed values are embedded in cache directives sent to edge servers, allowing them to immediately determine cache validity without requiring subsequent polling or verification. This preliminary preparation eliminates resource-wasting polling operations.
3Reliability
If cache keys include hash variable references to enable dynamic updates, then content freshness is improved, but cache management complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of cache keys by incorporating hash values and time-to-live parameters into the key structure. The cache key format `hash(content)`:`time_to_live` allows for automatic freshness management through parameter-based validation. This parameter change approach simplifies cache management by using straightforward hash comparison and expiration time checking, avoiding complex validation algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques for dynamic edge cache content management are described herein. A request for a webpage may be received from a content delivery network that includes at least one content item identifier. One or more content delivery network directives may be constructed for the webpage. The one or more content delivery network directives may be transmitted to the content delivery network. The one or more content delivery network directives include a key with a hash variable reference. A request may be received from the content delivery network for a hash value corresponding to the hash variable reference. The request may include the key. A hash value may be computed for the content item. The key including the hash value may be transmitted to the content delivery network.